For Tigers, Prince Fielder deal right on the money

Nov. 21, 2013
|

Prince Fielder put together two productive seasons in Detroit, but struggled in the playoffs. / Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports

by Drew Sharp, USA TODAY Sports

by Drew Sharp, USA TODAY Sports

Filed Under

ADVERTISEMENT

Perhaps it is true that you can't really go back home.

Prince Fielder's arrival in Detroit in January 2012 was hailed as a generational connection. The son following the footsteps of his father, returning to his childhood roots as the final piece of a puzzle that would return the Tigers to the top of the baseball mountain. Mike Ilitch admitted on the day of Fielder's introductory press conference at Comerica Park that it was one of his happiest days as Tigers' owner.

And now?

The Tigers might be even happier that they've rid themselves of one of the worst contracts in the major leagues.

The Tigers traded Fielder and $30 million to Texas Wednesday night for second baseman Ian Kinsler and a little more lineup flexibility and fiscal peace of mind.

General Manager Dave Dombrowski craftily dodged the potential land mines when discussing why he and Ilitch bade adieu to Fielder just two years into the richest contract in franchise history â?? nine years, $214 million â?? during an impromptu post-midnight teleconference Thursday morning. Dombrowski spoke glowingly about acquiring a potential leadoff hitter in Kinsler with some pop in his bat and some juice in his legs. But this trade was about admitting an impulsive, panicked mistake and cutting the Tigers' losses.

"He was an All-Star player for us," Dombrowski said. "He played every day. He played hard. He drove in 100 runs for two straight years. That's hard to do. He's a bat that we're going to miss."

Fielder's departure will undoubtedly inspire high-fives and hosannas from frustrated fans that primarily held Fielder accountable for another disappointing playoff exit. Fielder had the worst slugging season of his career in 2013. Though he produced power numbers deemed acceptable for a perennial All-Star, they were far from the production acceptable for somebody armed with one of the largest contracts in the game.

When Fielder folded in the playoffs, not recording a single RBI, he effectively became the convenient public scapegoat. He came across as detached and indifferent. It was amazing how quickly he morphed from panacea to pariah simply because he didn't outwardly share the fans' pain. It wasn't fair considering the personal torment in Fielder's life last season, going through a divorce that was no doubt already difficult enough without the public learning about it.

Dombrowski downplayed Fielder's perceived emotional aloofness from his playoff struggles as motivation for parting company. He declined to use the word "shocked" when describing the speed with which this deal was consummated. But it was nonetheless stunning when word filtered out late Wednesday night that a deal was done and Prince was gone.

It was no doubt a difficult decision for Ilitch who played a prominent role in courting Fielder two winters ago. He reminisced then about watching Prince rip baseballs into the rightfield overhang at Tiger Stadium as a kid taking batting practice with his father, Cecil Fielder. He always wanted him as a Tiger.

"We discussed it," Dombrowski said regarding Ilitch's reaction to the trade. "He understood it and gave his blessings to the deal."

As desperate as the Tigers were in ridding themselves of the remaining seven years and $168 million on Fielder's contract, the Rangers were even more desperate to add a potent left-handed bat. Kinsler is guaranteed $62 million in the final four years of a five-year contract that began last season, but the Rangers had a surplus at second base.

This trade is the best thing for all parties involved.

It gives Fielder a fresh start. It gives the Tigers more salary flexibility.

This trade doesn't necessarily save the Tigers money.

It merely redistributes the dollars to more players than simply a one-dimensional slugger. If the initial reports are true, the Tigers must also cut a check to the Rangers for $30 million. But even with that concession, the trade widens the wallet for the Tigers to sign Max Scherzer and Miguel Cabrera to huge contract extensions this winter. It also frees up dollars for free agent acquisitions at closer and in left field.

The deal opens up plenty of positional opportunities as well. They can return Cabrera to first base and return top prospect Nick Castellanos to his more natural third base position instead of forcing him into a square hole in leftfield.

The Tigers are lucky that they found a suitor for Fielder. There were genuine fears that they might be stuck with that contract for at least a couple more years. But the Tigers' problem is that they might not have a couple more years to finally win that elusive World Series championship. This trade â?? and the fact that the Tigers were willing to pay the Rangers $30 million as a Prince parting gift â?? is yet another admission that they know they must win right now.

Emotion trumped common sense when the Tigers signed Fielder two years ago. It was scripted as that perfect, poetic homecoming. But it'll be remembered as a return that was something a little less than ideal.